Automatic dice game machine

ABSTRACT

The invention is for an automatic dice game machine where according to the invention dice are thrown down a slope until they come to a standstill on a horizontal surface, the dice which are provided with symbols and code marks are then compared by a reading unit comprising several code readers with a present winning combination, after which the dice are moved by means of a horizontal motion into the dice thrower, which has in the meantime been lowered down and finally the dice thrower is moved upwards to its starting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is for an automatic dice game machine in which accordingto the invention the dice are thrown by a dice thrower downwards over aninclined plane until they come to rest on a horizontal plane,furthermore the dice, which are provided with symbols and code marks,are compared with a preset winning combination by a reading unitprovided with several code readers, after which the dice are again movedby a horizontal movement into the dice thrower which has in the meantimebeen moved downwards and finally the dice thrower is moved up to itsstarting position

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example and without in any way attempting to be exhaustive amore detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the automaticdice game machine in accordance with the invention is given in thefollowing. This description refers to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the automatic dice gamemachine;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged longitudinal section through the dice throwerof the automatic machine;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the dice thrower;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the dice thrower along the line IV—IV ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged plan view of the scraper and the guideconstruction;

FIG. 6 shows a transverse section through same along line VI—VI in FIG.5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a die with code marks;

FIG. 9 shows an electrical diagram of the electrical circuit of theautomatic machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will seen from these figures that the automatic machine has a cabinet1 which is covered an top by a hinged transparent cover 2 which islocked by a lock 3. A lift device 4 consisting of an endless toothedbelt 5 which runs over two rollers 6-7 is provided in the cabinet 1. Theupper roller 6 is mounted on the output shaft of a worm gear device 8powered by an electric motor 9. A die thrower 10 capable of being movedvertically up and down is mounted on the toothed belt 5. This diethrower consists of a carrying tray 11 in which a tipping pan 13 thatturns around a spindle 12 is mounted for throwing several dice 14 placedin the tipping pan. The carrying tray 11 is provided with guide rollers15 that run vertically on guide rails 16. The progression of the dicethrower 10 is limited at the top by a switch 17 and at the bottom by aswitch 18 which can turn off the electric motor 9 of the worm geardevice 8. A worm gear device 19 with electric motor 20 is fitted againstthe lift device 4 in the upper part of the cabinet 1 for tipping thetipping pan 13. Cam discs 21-22-23 are mounted on the shaft of the wormscrew of the worm gear device 19. These cam discs work in conjunctionwith an optical sensor 24 which determines the final horizon position ofthe tipping tray 13 and an optical sensor 25 which determines the finaltipping position of the tipping pan 13, by switching off the electricmotor 20. Cam disc 21 bears a tipping roller 26 which can exercisepressure on a lip 27 of the tipping pan 13 in order to make the tippingpan tip. An opening 29 is provided in the panel 26 of cabinet 1. Underthis opening a slope 30 with bumps or other irregularities is providedfor tumbling the dice rolling down the slope. Located at the bottom ofthe cabinet and at the foot of the slope 30 is a horizontal transportdevice 32 consisting of an endless toothed belt 33 running over tworollers 34-35 where one of the rollers is mounted on the output shaft ofa warm gear 36 with electric motor 37. A scraper 38 is mounted on thetoothed belt 32 the horizontal movement of which is guided by a guiderail 39. Both final positions of the scraper 38 are limited by switches40-41, whereas a switch 42 ensures that the scraper always returns tothe same position at the foot of the slope 30 before playing the nextgame. The dice 14 railing from the slope 30 end up on a horizontalreceiving panel 43 above which the scraper 38 is free to move. Thisscraper has a toothed part 44 and an inclined part 45 enabling the diceto be tipped on the receiving panel during the movement of the scraper.A guide structure 46 with a guide opening with a semi-circular end 47 islocated above the receiving panel 43 in order to impart a randommovement to the dice. A reading unit with multiple code readers 48 islocated under the receiving panel 43 for reading the symbols and codemarks 49 with digital information on the dice 14. The reading unitconsists of several sub-units 48 a, 48 b, 48 c, and 48 d, each of whichconsists of a control unit which actuates one by one a series ofantennae by means of an electronic switch 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d andthus reads the information from any of the dies lying uppermost. Thereading unit works in conjunction with a central computer unit 51 forthe comparison with a predetermined winning combination, which in theevent of a win is notified to several coin operated game consoles set upin the game area (not shown). Players can take part in the dice gamefrom any game console and these game consoles are so set up that thegame can be participated in only during a preset period of time. Theentire automatic machine is set in operation by a central motorcontroller 52.

The operation of the automatic dice game machine is described below.

The central computer unit 51 checks to see whether the same consoles setup in the game area have sufficient credit to allow the game to start.If so a visual and/or acoustic signal is given to indicate that bet ispossible. After a given period of time the ability to bet is suspended.The central computer unit 51 starts the electric motor 20 and the wormgear device 19 via the motor control 52 with the result that the tippingroller 26 exerts pressure or the lip 27 of the tipping pan of the dicethrower 10 in which for example there are three dice and which are inthe highest position so that the tipping pan tips about the spindle 14in the direction of the incline 3C. When the optical sensor detects theend of the tipping movement of the tipping pan 13 the electric motor 20is stopped. The dice 14 rolling out of the tipping tray roll down theslope 30 and turned in all directions by the bumps 31 an the slope 30.At the bottom the dice 14 land on the horizontal receiving panel 43after they have passed through the guide opening of the guide structure46. The motor drive 52 then again starts the electric motor 20 so thatthe tipping pan 13 turns downwards about the spindle 12, so that itagain assumes a horizontal position. When the tipping pan 13 reaches thehorizontal position this is determined by the optical sensor 24 whichstops the electric motor 20. The central computer unit 51 then startsthe electric motor 9 of the lift device 14 via the motor controller 52as a result of which the toothed belt 5 moves the dice thrower 10downwards until it reaches switch 18 and electric motor 9 is switchedoff. The central computer unit 51 now tells the reading unit with codereaders 48 to read the dice 14 which are provided with code marks 49 andwhich are located on the receiving panel 43. When the predeterminedwinning combination is determined this is indicated audiovisually andcommunicated to the game consoles, with the players being given thechance to choose for another game or to be paid out. Thereafter thecentral computer unit 51 starts the electric motor 37 with the worm geardevice 36 so that the toothed belt 33 moves the scraper 38 mounted on ittowards the switch 41 until the switch is reached and the electric motor37 is turned off. During this movement the sloping part 45 of thescraper moves the dice 14 in various directions. When the centralcomputer unit 15 again starts the electric motor 37 via the motor 52,the toothed belt 33 moves the scraper 38 in the opposite directiontowards the switch 40 With the result that the toothed part 44 of thescraper makes the dice 14 assume another position, making the likelihoodthat the three dice form a single line in the direction of motionextremely small. When the scraper 38 reaches the switch 43 the dice 14are pushed into the dice thrower. The scraper 38 is then moved slightlyin the opposite direction so that the dice thrower 10 is released afterwhich the electric motor 37 comes to a halt. When the scraper reachestine switch 42 during its previous movement it again becomes possiblefor players to make bets. The central computer unit 51 starts electricmotor 9 via the motor controller 52 with the result that the toothedbelt 5 moves the dice thrower 10 upwards with the dice 14 until switch17 is reached, which then switches off electric motor 9. Afterwards theelectric motor 37 is made to rotate in the opposite direction so thatthe toothed belt 33 with the scraper 38 is moved against the switch 42,which turns the electric motor 37 off and the scraper is returned to itsoriginal position. In this position the dice to be received can fallwithin a space on the receiving panel 43, which is bounded by thescraper 38, the semi-circular part 47 and the side pieces of the guidestructure 46. When the game consoles indicate there is still creditavailable, the cycle describe above is repeated. Alternatively theautomatic dice game machine returns to the rest state.

It, goes without saying that the parts described above may have anyshape and dimensions whatsoever and may be replaced by other componentswhich serve the same purpose.

What is claimed is:
 1. Automatic dice game machine comprising a cabinet,a transparent cover which seals off an upper part of the cabinet, a dicethrower, several dice provided with symbols and code marks containingdigital information and which can be placed in said dice thrower, aslope over which the dice roll down, said slope extending downwardlyfrom an upper position of said dice thrower and having an upper surfacethat is visible through said transparent cover, a horizontal receivingpanel located at a certain distance from a bottom edge of the slope forreceiving the dice, a reading unit with code readers located under thereceiving panel for comparing the symbols and code marks of the dicewith a predetermined winning combination, a signaling device forcommunicating the winning combination, a lifting device for moving saiddice thrower in a vertical direction between one end of the receivingpanel and a top edge of the slope respectively, a scraper being movableover said receiving panel by a horizontal transport system, such that inone direction of motion the dice are tipped over and in the otherdirection of motion said dice are moved into said dice thrower. 2.Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dicethrower comprises a carrying tray with a spindle, guide rollers that runalong vertical guide rails and a tipping pan that is rotatably mountedto the spindle so that the pan can be tipped about said spindle. 3.Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 2, furthercomprising two switches that control electric circuits of the liftingdevice for the dice thrower and limit the vertical movement of the dicethrower.
 4. Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 2,further comprising cam discs, a worm gear device and an electric motorfor driving said worm gear.
 5. Automatic dice game machine in accordancewith claim 4, further comprising an optical sensor with switch fordetermining a horizontal end position of the tipping tray and an opticalsensor with switch for detecting a final tipping position of the tippingpan, said sensors being capable of controlling the electric motor. 6.Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein theslope located under the dice thrower is provided with a plurality ofbumps in order to tumble the dice rolling down the slope.
 7. Automaticdice game machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein a guide structureis located between the slope and the receiving panel for guiding thedice landing on the receiving panel, said guide structure being boundedby a guide opening with two side pieces and a semi-circular end, andwherein the movable scraper constitutes another end of the guidestructure.
 8. Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 1,wherein the lifting device further comprises a worm gear with anelectric motor, two rollers, an endless toothed belt that rubs over therollers and two switches that control electric circuits of the liftingdevice for the dice thrower and limit the vertical movement of the dicethrower, and wherein said dice thrower is mounted on said endlesstoothed belt.
 9. Automatic dice game machine in accordance with claim 1,wherein the scraper is guided by a horizontal guide rail, and wherein afree end of the scraper stands at right angles to said directions ofmotion and comprises a sloping part and a toothed part for moving andtipping the dice on the receiving panel.
 10. Automatic dice game machinein accordance with claim 9, wherein the horizontal transport system formoving the scraper comprises a toothed endless belt upon which saidscraper is mounted, two rollers over which the endless belt runs, a wormgear device with an electric motor for driving said rollers and switchesprovided in an electric circuit of said electric motor for determiningend positions and an intermediate position of said scraper.
 11. Anautomatic dice game machine comprising a cabinet, a transparent coverthat seals off an upper part of the cabinet, a dice thrower, severaldice provided with symbols that can be positioned in said dice thrower,a slope over which the dice roll down, said slope extending downwardlyfrom an upper position of said dice thrower and having an upper surfacethat is visible through said transparent cover, a horizontal receivingpanel located at a predetermined distance from a bottom edge of theslope for receiving the dice, a lifting device for moving said dicethrower in a vertical direction between one end of the receiving paneland a top edge of the slope respectively, a scraper being movable oversaid receiving panel by a horizontal transport system, such that in onedirection of motion the dice are tipped over and in the other directionof motion said dice are moved into said dice thrower.
 12. Automatic dicegame in accordance with claim 11, wherein the slope includes a pluralityof irregularities for causing the dice rolling down said slope totumble.